september 2013

was a crazy month for our family. bryan had two ultimate frisbee tournaments; one in california & one here in phoenix. they weren't normal tournaments -they were regionals & sectionals... these determined if they'd make it to nationals. he played co-ed for the first time & really enjoyed the team. they did pretty well but did not make it to nationals.

those weekends also happened to be the weekends i'd be out of town. one weekend was for my mom's surprise birthday party (ended up being not so surprise) & the other was for cousin's weekend. so we had to scramble to find people to help us watch our children! not easy when we have no family in town- so friends, luckily came to the rescue.
finn also started school in august (but somehow i missed posting it, so you get it now.) i can't believe this is my baby. he's growing up into such a fine man. i'm mighty proud.

he's in the spanish immersion class with mrs. alexandra, who is fabulous. LOVE HER. we had a really rough start. for the first few weeks he'd cry when i'd attempt to leave (last year i'd have to chase him to get a kiss goodbye) and cling to me. i'd end up leaving around 11:30 and maya and i would go for a walk because school was over at 12. so it was really hard.  he was mainly upset because new teacher, new classroom, right next to his old classroom with a glass door separating them so he could look in & see his best friend in his old class. i completely understood. but it was too cool of an opportunity to pass up. he's liking it now, luckily & speaks often in spanish. the other morning he woke up & came into bed to snuggle. i asked if he'd had any dreams & he said "si!" totally worth all the heart ache! lucy is his new bf in class, she's the cute lil blonde in the darker dress in the first row, middle. she's an awesome little girl. he's still by kace's side if they're outside at the same time.

i added about 12 inches to their tee pee and now they can be in there together. love it! 

i've added some pillows & they lounge in their often.

we built a really cool city around a train track... so much fun.  

so back in phoenix:

& then in kentucky for my mom's birthday party,

we had dinner just the three girls.

mom's 60th birthday party! this woman is not easy to surprise. our initial plans to hijack my aunt & uncle's house boat for a ya-ya swimming party were thwarted when the lake was discovered to have blue green algae & that was making people sick. so then we all crashed my aunt sandra's house & had a slumber party. so much fun!

we met for lunch at the pig market, downtown.

my mom's sister, barbara, flew in for the party... was supposed to be surprise no 1 until mom called her & flat out asked "so when do you get in town for my party?" :)

& then my aunt rita, who wasn't going to make it because she was going to be in atlanta watching her grandson, had her ticket changed so she could make it! my aunt sandy ruined that surprise when mom called & asked what she was up to & she said "oh, rita & i are about to go for a bike ride!" these women look sweet but can not be trusted!

the lunch girls. we then headed to an art festival.

the really young & beautiful 60 year old granny!

those mimosa's were starting to kick in!

steph blindfolded mom & we walked her into the house. she knew the boat wasn't going to happen anymore but didn't know what plan b was.

everybody was hiding...

then birthday girl opened presents.

stephani & i worked our tushees off on a book for her. we harassed the family until they sent us stories of marge. the book turned out awesome. it was so much fun to read everyone's stories that have shaped their opinions of her, especially bryan & jeff's. monica wrote an incredibly sweet one & so did the grandbabies!

it was something we've all promised to do yearly. we just hung out & told stories, drank & danced & laughed. what us miller women do best.

we had a make your own ya ya tiara station.

rita was yelling because someone used up the last flower.

after another drink she forgot about it!

mom saying her grace before dinner. she was vicious with that wand... 

i made sure to stay swatting distance away.

we also hired a psychic, which everyone got a kick out of. so much fun! thanks miller ladies for being so awesome & helping to make my mama feel so special on her birthday!

i'd orginally planned to visit my sister in nashville & drive with her to gatlinburg but my aunt & uncle decided to sell their beautiful home in atlanta (i lived there with them one summer in college) and really felt like i needed to say goodbye to it. plus i wanted some time with them alone! so i changed my flight to atlanta. we had such a great time. dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant & mango margarita's. then the next morning the three of us had breakfast at the botanical garden & don left to go swim. so barb and i walked around. she got caught making out with the troll 

& the lady yelled at her ;)

this exhibit was incredible. loved this unicorn.

i did not bring my camera, which i now completely regret! so we did a lil session with my point & shoot. love them & their beautiful house. it's filled with so many memories!

& then i hopped in my cousin erin's car & we did the windy 4 hour drive to gatlinburg to our awesome cabin to meet up with the rest of the girl cousins! hanging out with thomas & andrew before we left. such a stinker!!!! 

erin fell asleep at the bar... her classic move.

 

we are missing lauren, danielle & brittany here (must be in the bathroom), but we attempted to be wild & crazy at the bar... and we were for the whole 3 minutes we shouted at the top of our lungs "what's going on! and i said hey hey hey heeyyy!"

one of our to do's while there was to take one of these photos. it was hilarious.
i bought the on with us cracking up & if i can find it i'll post it. so much fun.

i had an absolute blast with my girls. each and everyone of them are incredible women. i'm so lucky to call them family.